Massage therapy is a technique that applies different methods to stimulate the meridians, acupoints, joints, and other parts of the body surface. It helps to improve blood circulation locally or throughout the body, regulate the body's nervous and fluid balance, and promote physical recovery to prevent and treat diseases. Now let's take a look at the illustrated guide to massage for lowering blood sugar.
Principles of Massage for Lowering Blood Sugar
For diabetic patients, massage therapy focuses on the foot's Lesser Yin and Greater Yin Spleen meridians, as well as the abdomen and back-shu points for basic treatment. Depending on the symptoms, specific acupoint treatments can be performed to increase insulin secretion, regulate glucose metabolism, improve microcirculation, and reduce the body's absorption of sugar, thereby achieving the desired blood sugar-lowering effect.
Massage can effectively control the condition for people with pre-diabetic symptoms, and it can serve as an adjunct therapy for those who are already diagnosed. It can also alleviate complications commonly associated with diabetes, such as numbness in the lower limbs.
Self-Massage Techniques for Lowering Blood Sugar
Head Massage
Massage the Yintang, Fengchi, and the entire head.
To massage the Yintang, press the thumb or the tip of the middle finger on the Yintang acupoint and apply gentle vibrations with slight force. Repeat this motion 300-500 times continuously, at a frequency of more than 30 times per minute. To massage the Fengchi, press the tip of the thumb on the Fengchi acupoint with slight force. Repeat this motion 200-350 times continuously, at a frequency of about 100 times per minute. For head massage, press the top of the head with your fingers and apply slight force, while the fingers vibrate slightly. Repeat this motion 300-500 times continuously, at a frequency of about 100 times per minute. The movements should be fast and forceful.
Benefits: Head massage helps to relax the cerebral cortex, improve blood circulation in the brain, and promote the relaxation of tendons and meridians.
Abdominal Massage
Place both hands flat on the abdomen and perform circular massage in the direction of the colon's path, clockwise. Each session should last 5-10 minutes, with a frequency of 60-90 times per minute. This method can promote blood circulation and gastrointestinal peristalsis, accelerate digestion and absorption, improve pancreatic nutrition and blood supply, and aid in pancreatic function recovery.
Limb Massage
Use techniques such as pushing, pressing, and kneading to improve blood circulation in the limbs, soften blood vessels, promote tissue metabolism, and accelerate cellular absorption and utilization of glucose.
1. Upper limb massage: Place one hand on the inner side of the other arm, starting from the wrist and push towards the armpit. Each session should last 3-5 minutes, with 70-100 times per minute.
2. Lower limb massage: Use both hands to push from the inner side of the thigh to the ankle, and then push back up from the heel. Each session should last 5-10 minutes, with 50-80 times per minute.
Acupressure Massage for Diabetes
Rubbing Qihai
Location: About 2 horizontal fingers below the navel.
Massage method: Place the fingertip of the middle finger on the Qihai acupoint and rub it in a clockwise direction for 2 minutes until it feels warm.
Benefits: Treats diabetes, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, impotence, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emission, and other conditions.
Pressing Zusanli
Location: On the outside of the tibia, about 4 horizontal fingers below the knee.
Massage method: Sit down and use the fingertips of both thumbs to press the Zusanli acupoint on each side, applying gradual pressure for 1 minute.
Benefits: Promotes digestion and absorption, enhances glycogen metabolism, and improves overall physical condition.
Rubbing Pishu
Location: On the back, 2 horizontal fingers' width below the 11th thoracic vertebra.
Massage method: Use the middle fingers of both hands to press and rub the Pishu acupoint on each side, applying 30-50 times of pressure. Rub the acupoint with clenched fists for 30-50 times until there is local heat sensation.
Benefits: Treats diabetes, hypotension, stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, dysentery, rectal bleeding, and other conditions.
Considerations for Blood Sugar-Lowering Massage Techniques
The intensity of the massage must be adjusted flexibly based on the urgency of the disease, the deficiency or excess of the symptoms, and the age of the patient. The technique should start light and gradually increase in force, with a gradual reduction in force before ending the session. Although the technique may be the same for different diseases, there may be significant differences in treatment quantity or intensity. For example, if a diabetic patient experiences headache or insomnia, the massage should focus on the head and face, and the technique can be the same. For patients with headaches, the treatment quantity should be increased, while for those with insomnia, the treatment quantity should be relatively reduced. In summary, the massage techniques require a balance between light and heavy, soft and firm.
Choice of Massage Time for Lowering Blood Sugar
It is best not to perform blood sugar-lowering massage in the early morning or evening. The optimal time is in the morning and afternoon. The duration of each treatment should be determined based on the type of disease, the condition, and the strength of the patient. Generally, 15-20 minutes is suitable for local treatment, while 40-60 minutes is suitable for multiple areas. For patients with weaker constitution and more treatment areas, the session can be divided into two parts. The entire treatment course lasts for 10-30 days.
